. allister
. clara
August 2005
Created by: nathanael tan
nat.
16nov90.
Earthling.
Singaporean.
bethany independent
presbytarian church.
the batch of 1990s.
bionicle.
'The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?'
. alvin
. amelia
. anastasia
. annabella
. bethany 1990 forum
. bethany FC
. bethany sundayschool website
. bethany ypg blog
. camille
. charles
. christopher chia
. chris ong
. davin
. davina
. delorin
. drusila
. edlyn
. jeremy tan
. jewel
. jing lin
. joanne
. joel lee
. joyce
. justina
. matthew
. naomi
. nathanael
. olivia
. qing yang
. rach
. sarah
. shamini
. sherlyn
. shi yun
. tammy
. tanya
. vicki
. yu ting
. yu wen
. zhi hui
. zhuang man
. dingyi
. HEROES
. kristen
. lina
. liwei
. melissa ho
. olivia
. gem lim
. grace
. shalom
. sinyan
. tania
. tv video
. valene
. yani
November 2005
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What Happen through the years?
M.A.N.(Matthew Allister Nathanael)
Sec1 '03
two years later...
Sec3 '05
.:My Virtual PetS:.
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Some Photos by: christoper chia
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Tuesday, October 06, 2009
this is it
I'm enlisting in about 10 hours time.
I'm pretty much prepared and looking forward to it all.
It's gonna be tough, and I've accepted it. Like every Singaporean Boy, it's a time where we
turn from boys to men. Looking forward to that $2 hair cut and free army equiptment. haha
Have been reflecting on what I shared at YPG while back as I prepared by heart for it. This is
what I shared:
" Growth of the Spirit:
We have passed the half way mark of 2009, and soon we'll be gearing up for our end of the year events. I took time to reflect upon these past 7 months that have passed, and I'm thankful for many things, yet disappointed in some.
Initially I started off with a bang, so eager to make this year significant. Wanting to end the remaining 6 months of school well and getting good grades. This soon took a toll on my time I spent with God as it soon became second priority. And eventually not spending my desired amount of time with Him, only turning to Him when exams were near.
It was difficult to go back to that initial state, because I felt rather distant from God. Not keeping up with growth results in being out of place when others close to you have sped ahead. A bitter-sweet feeling of being proud of them, yet ashamed of one's self.
When YPG returned after a month break, a new excitement from within. And an apt theme of 'Growth'. A challenge to start a new and desire to get back on my feet once more.
One lesson that really got me thinking, was the lesson on 'the Spirit of Man'. In which the Spirit = Secret to Power. A spirit triumphs over the body, like waking up in the morning. Your spirit tells your body to get up and immediately you get up. Similar when it comes to time spent with God, no procrastination. It is capable of putting you down, yet also capable of building you up.
I have experienced a small magnitude of the spirit's ability in achievements. This year, I had to take my NAPFA test, which would determine if I have to do an extra two months of NS if I don't get a silver or gold award. This got me pretty worried, because the last physical test I took was a year ago, and I'm not into much sports. Back then, I didn't know much about the capabilities of the spirit, only on hind-sight was I able to identify this.
I started off with running and going to the gym on a regular basis. However, after awhile I started to have negative thoughts. Thoughts like, what if I still fail after so much training. My spirit was soon crushed as I grew disheartened. Like in Proverbs 15:13 'A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken'. One's spirit can put one self down. Soon I didn't have the strength to attempt training for a silver. Then I caught myself wallowing in self pity. Have I forgotten about the Lord's promises and His faithfulness. The Lord has indeed seen me through many obstacles in my life, why second guess Him now.
This time round, I was determined to get a silver. Learning to rely on God, involving Him each step of the way, praying for safety and a strong mind. Now experiencing the other side of the spirit, the ability to build a person up. My spirit was able to sustain me. Like in Proverbs 18:14, it speaks of the spirit sustaining a person in sickness. But in my case, it was not in sickness, but in tiredness. The strength to power through, through the mind. More than just 'mind over matter', but a 'Yes, I can' spirit.
Through this challenge, I have grown in spirit as I learn to depend on the Lord more, with a greater level of trust. And that second guessing the Lord's faithfulness will not get you anywhere, an issue of doubt that I have to overcome completely. The Lord has blessed me with more than what I have asked for, instead of blessing me with just a silver, He blessed me with a gold.
This has helped me a lot as I seek to prepare myself mentally for NS. And one practical way for me to grow in spirit is through memorizing verses, hence also allowing my spirit to be renewed. Like it also says in 2 Corinthians 4:16, of the spirit's renewal. What's the use of having a spirit that sustains but grows weak after a while, then it is unable to aid you the next day. But once 're-charged', it's as good as new. A promise I can cling onto and be encouraged when I enlist. I'm not having cold-feet just yet, but I'm sure the Lord will be with me upon enlisting. My part is to grow in Spirit and be prepared for what's to come.
One song I'm reminded of when I think of renewal is, 'New Song In My Heart'. Songs give power, to encourage or to strengthen. And in the third verse especially, it speaks of how the spirit can be whole once more, the idea of renewal. [Put a new fire in my soul. Make this wounded spirit whole] ''
As I go in, I'm determined to have a this strong spirit of relience upon God.
I'm unusually calm right now, but it's gonna be different from what I've been playing in my head.
at 13yos
at 15yos
at 19yos. hahah notice al's same shirt 6years ago. hahhaha.
Met teacher Yongjing for dinner today. Had a good time catching up.
Shared a word of encouragement from 2Cor. 4:7-10.
''7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.''
The challange I have to face as I enter. I'm yet again reminded I can do so much and nothing more. But I'm sure I'll be able to handle all things with God on my side(:
I'm really thankful for friends all my friends. For meeting up despite your busy week and even wishing me well wishes(: thanks peeps!
Remember me in prayer guys! Seeya in a few weeks time. Hope I'll still be recogniseable.